"The music video is directly derived from and substantially similar to the LaChapelle works" LaChapelle told Reuters about the lawsuit, made public on Monday. He added that the chart-topping singer's video copied the "composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colors, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting" of his own photographs.

More specifically, the celebrity shutterbug said that Rihanna's team incorporated eight of his own images into the video, including a profile of the singer against as blue backdrop and a piece of candy on her tongue. He is suing for unspecified damages.

Gaga, Rihanna Top Magazines' Best-Selling Cover Girls

LaChapelle has shot the famous and fabulous for popular magazines, including a May 2009 Rolling Stone cover of Lady Gaga draped in plastic bubbles. His brightly colored, often lascivious spreads have also starred Kanye West, Paris Hilton, and Angelina Jolie.

The 22-year-old singer's video, directed by Melina Matsouas, was banned in some countries due to its sexual content. While it made headlines in the news for the controversy, the song itself never took off.

Buzz about potential plagiarism began earlier this month when the video first came out. RadarOnline reported that LaChapelle had worked with Rihanna in the past, but had not collaborated on the "S&M" video.